Single-piece motor mount

ABSTRACT

A motor mount constructed from a single piece of sheet metal. The motor mount contains a band portion and at least three leg portions. The band portion clamps around a motor and the leg portions radiate from the band portion. The leg portions secure the motor to a housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Background of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a motor mount. Inparticular, the invention relates to the use of a single-piece motormount in a blower assembly for a furnace.

[0002] In most homes, the furnace contains a blower assembly and heatingand/or cooling elements, such as an A-Coil. The blower assembly pullsair into the furnace by means of a return air ductwork and forces theair over the heating or cooling elements. The blower then returns theair to the home by means of ductwork contained within the walls, floor,basement, and/or attic of the home.

[0003] The blower assembly typically consists of a housing, a blowerwheel, an electric motor, and a motor mount. The blower wheel comprisesa plurality of vanes and is attached to the shaft of the electric motor.When the blower wheel rotates, the vanes cause the air to move outwardlyfrom the blower wheel. The housing surrounds the blower wheel anddirects the flow of air created by the rotation of the blower wheel. Themotor mount maintains the electric motor in the proper position relativeto the housing.

[0004] Typically, the motor mount comprises a steel clamp that wrapsaround and is fixed to the body of the motor and a plurality of supportlegs connected to the clamp to attach the motor to the housing. In somecases, the support legs and clamp are separate pieces, which are weldedtogether prior to being connected to the assembly. In other cases, thesupport legs are welded or screwed directly to the motor. These welds orscrews are the most common failure points of these motor mounts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is a motor mount made from a single pieceof sheet metal. The sheet metal is shaped to define a continuous bandportion along one side of the sheet metal. At least three leg portionsproject from the band portion. Each leg portion is capable of being bentgenerally perpendicular to the band portion, so that when the bandportion is placed around a circular motor, the legs radiate from theband portion.

[0006] In one embodiment of the motor mount, the band portion containsat least three curved ribs on the band portion to add strength to themotor mount. Each rib is preferably located generally perpendicular tothe length of the band and proximate to one of the leg portions.

[0007] In another embodiment, each leg portion includes a base portionjoined to the band portion. In that embodiment, one side of the baseportion has an undercut to facilitate bending the leg portionperpendicular to the band portion. Further, the undercut and the pointat which the other side of each base portion and the band portion arejoined can be generally curved to reduce stress in the motor mount. Inaddition, each leg portion may also include a fastening portion capableof being bent generally perpendicular to the leg portions to fasten themotor mount to a housing. In another embodiment, the leg portions areequally spaced along the length of the band portion.

[0008] The present invention is also directed to a blower assembly. Theblower assembly includes an electric motor, a blower wheel, a pluralityof vanes, a housing, a motor mount, and fasteners. The vanes areattached to the blower wheel, which in turn is attached to the motor.The motor rotates the blower wheel creating a flow of air in theassembly. The housing surrounds the blower wheel to direct the flow ofair. The motor mount includes a single piece of sheet metal shaped todefine a continuous band portion along one side. The motor mount alsoincludes at least three leg portions projecting from the band portion.Each leg portion is capable of being bent generally perpendicular to theband portion, so that when the band portion is placed around a circularmotor, the legs radiate from the band portion. Finally, the fastenersattach the leg portions to the housing.

[0009] In one embodiment, each leg portion includes a fastening portioncapable of being bent generally perpendicular to the leg portions.Fasteners connect each fastening portion to the motor housing. Inanother embodiment, the fasteners include a shock absorbing means.

[0010] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be setforth in part in the description which follows, and in part will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realizedand attained by means of the elements and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodimentsof the invention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a side view of a blower assembly of the presentinvention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the motor mountof the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of the motor mount of thepresent invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of the motor mount of thepresent invention after being cut to the desired pattern, but prior tobeing formed into its final shape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0018]FIG. 1 is a side view of a blower assembly of the presentinvention. The blower assembly consists of a blower housing 1, anelectric motor 3, and a motor mount 8 constructed from a single piece ofmaterial. The motor mount 8 holds the motor 3 in position relative tothe blower housing 1. The motor mount 8 comprises a band portion 4,which clamps around the motor 3. The motor mount 8 also comprises legportions 5, which fasten the motor 3 to the blower housing 1. Duringoperation, the electric motor 3 rotates a blower wheel 2, which containsa plurality of vanes. The rotation of these vanes draws air into theblower inlet 7 and forces the air out of the blower outlet 6. The motor3 can be any one of a number of commercially available motors with agenerally circular cross-section.

[0019] The blower assembly can be utilized in any one of a number ofsystems utilizing a blower to direct the flow of air. In the preferredembodiment, the blower assembly is used in any one of a number ofcommercially available furnaces in which a blower is used to draw airinto the furnace, force the air over a heating or cooling element, andreturn the air to a home.

[0020] The motor mount 8 of the present invention preferably isconstructed from a single piece of sheet metal. The motor mount 8consists of a band portion 4 and leg portions 5. The band portion 4 willbe clamped around the circumference of a motor. The size of the bandportion 4 can vary to accommodate motors of different circumference andshape. The leg portions 5 will attach the motor to a motor housing, orother support surface. The motor mount 8 preferably includes at leastthree equally spaced leg portions 5 for proper stability. The size,shape, and number of these leg portions 5 could be varied to attach tovarious types of blower housings or other supports.

[0021]FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate one embodiment of the motor mount 8 ofthe present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates this embodiment of the motormount 8 after being cut to the desired pattern, but prior to beingformed into its final shape.

[0022] The motor mount 8 of this embodiment comprises a band portion 4and three identical leg portions 5. The band portion 4 is generallyrectangular in shape and has a length several times that of its height.The size and shape of the band portion 4 can vary to accommodatedifferent sized motors. For example, in the embodiment in FIG. 4, thetop edge of the band portion is slanted in between each leg portion.

[0023] In order to clamp the band portion 4 around a motor, the bandincludes a mechanical connection area. In the illustrated embodiment,two holes 12 are formed on each end of the band portion 4. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, when the band portion 4 is bent into a generally circularshape, the ends of the band portion 4 are further bent so as to beparallel to one another. Fastening means, such as screws, extend throughthe holes and connect the two ends of the band portion 4, therebyclamping the band portion around a motor.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the motor mount 8 also includesthree identical leg portions 5. Each leg portion includes a base portion9, which is joined to the band portion 4, and a fastening portion 10 toconnect the motor mount to a housing. One side of the base portion 9contains an undercut 11. This undercut 11 facilitates bending the legportion perpendicular to the band portions. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the undercut 11 is generally curved to reduce the stress in themotor mount 8. Other portions of the mount are also curved, to reducestress. For example, the base portion 9 is generally curved where itjoins with the band portion 4 and is also curved where it joins with theelongated leg portions 5.

[0025] Each leg portion further includes a fastening portion 10 and iscurved where the elongated leg portion 5 joins the fastening portion.When the motor mount is formed, the fastening portion 10 is bentperpendicular to the leg portion. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,these fastening portions extend downwardly and when formed arepositioned intermediate the top and bottom surfaces of the leg and bandportions. However, the fastening portions also could be formed to extendupward beyond the top of the leg portions, so that when formed theywould be at the outside edge of the leg portion 5.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the band portion also containsthree identical ribs 13 located adjacent to the leg portions 5. Asshown, these ribs extend along substantially the entire height of theband and leg portions. In one embodiment, the ribs have a generallysemicircular shape with a radius of approximately 0.25 inches. The ribsprimarily add strength to the mount. While this embodiment utilizesthree ribs, it should be understood that any number of ribs could beformed in the motor mount.

[0027] As an example only, in one embodiment, after being cut to thedesired pattern, but before being formed in to its final shape, thelength of the band portion 4 is approximately 17.969 inches. In thisexample, the height of the band portion 4 varies from approximately1.375 inches at the point where the undercut 11 joins the band portion4, to a height of 1.625 inches where the band portion 4 joins with thebase portion 9 of the leg portion 5, and to a height of 1.750 inches atboth ends of the band portion 4.

[0028] In this exemplary embodiment, each leg portion has a length ofapproximately 5.094 inches, and the distance from the top edge of eachleg portion 5 to the bottom edge of the band portion 4 is approximately4.000 inches. The base portion of the first leg portion joins with theband portion 4 approximately 1.344 inches from the first end of the bandportion. Each base portion is generally curved at this point with aradius of approximately 1.000 inch. The opposite side of each baseportion joins with the band portion 4 at an undercut 11. In the baseportion of the first leg portion, this juncture occurs approximately3.812 inches from the first end of the base portion. The base portion ofthe second leg portion joins with the band portion 4 approximately 7.125inches from the first end of the band portion. The opposite side of thisbase portion joins with the band portion 4 at an undercut 11,approximately 9.594 inches from the first end of the base portion.Finally, the base portion of the third leg portion joins with the bandportion 4 approximately 12.906 inches from the first end of the bandportion. The opposite side of this base portion joins with the bandportion 4 at an undercut 11, approximately 15.375 inches from the firstend of the base portion. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, eachleg portion is spaced approximately 3.312 inches apart.

[0029] A number of methods can be used to construct the motor mount 8.In one method, a piece of sheet metal is punched and trimmed to form thedesired pattern. This punching or trimming could be done by hand ormechanically with a die press. In addition to creating the desiredshape, this process could punch all the required holes in the motormount and punch the ribs into the motor mount. The pattern would then beformed into the desired shape for the motor mount 8 either mechanicallyor by hand. This could be done in a variety of stages, such that aportion of the motor mount would be formed at each stage.

[0030] In another method, a continuously fed die press could be used. Inthis method, a coil of sheet metal would be fed into a specially createddye containing a number of stages. At each stage, the die would bepressed down on the sheet metal both cutting a portion of the desiredpattern and forming a portion of the motor mount into its desired shape.At the end of all the stages, the motor mount would be completely formedincluding all holes and ribs. Other known methods can be used providedthe motor mount 8 is constructed from a single piece of material.

[0031] A fastener, such as a screw, is used to connect the fasteningportion 10 to a motor housing. In the preferred embodiment, a shockabsorber, such as a rubber grommet, would be situated between thefastening portion 10 and the motor housing to reduce noise caused by thevibration of the motor. A metal sleeve or ferrule would also be used inconjunction with the grommet to secure the motor housing.

[0032] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specificationand examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope andspirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motor mount, comprising: a single piece ofsheet metal shaped to define a continuous band portion along one sidethereof and at least three leg portions projecting from the bandportion, each leg portion being capable of being bent generallyperpendicular to the band portion, so that when the band portion isplaced around a circular motor, the legs radiate from the band portion.2. The motor mount of claim 1, wherein the band portion contains atleast three curved ribs on the band portion to add strength to the motormount.
 3. The motor mount of claim 2 wherein each rib extends generallyperpendicular to the length of the band and is located proximate to oneof the leg portions.
 4. The motor mount of claim 1, wherein each legportion includes a base portion joined to the band portion, one side ofthe base portion having an undercut to facilitate bending the legportion generally perpendicular to the band portion.
 5. The motor mountof claim 4, wherein the undercut and the point at which the other sideof each base portion and the band portion are joined are generallycurved to reduce stress in the motor mount.
 6. The motor mount of claim1, wherein each leg portion includes a fastening portion capable ofbeing bent generally perpendicular to the leg portions to fasten themotor mount to a housing.
 7. The motor mount of claim 6, wherein the legportions are equally spaced along the length of the band portion.
 8. Amotor mount, comprising: a single piece of sheet metal shaped to definea continuous band portion along one side thereof and three leg portionsprojecting from the band portion, each leg portion being capable ofbeing bent generally perpendicular to the band portion, so that when theband portion is placed around a circular motor, the legs radiate fromthe band portion; each leg portion including a base portion joined tothe band portion, one side of the base portion having an undercut tofacilitate bending the leg portion generally perpendicular to the bandportion, and wherein the under cut and the point at which the other sideof each base portion and the band portion are joined are generallycurved to reduce stress in the motor mount; each leg portion furtherincluding a fastening portion capable of being bent generallyperpendicular to the leg portions to fasten the motor mount to ahousing; and at least three curved ribs on the band portion to addstrength to the motor mount, wherein each rib extends generallyperpendicular to the length of the band and is located proximate to oneof the leg portions.
 9. A blower assembly, comprising: an electricmotor; a blower wheel attached to the motor; a plurality of vanesattached to the blower wheel, such that the operation of the motor willcause the blower wheel containing the plurality of vanes to rotatecreating a flow of air in the blower assembly; a housing surrounding theblower wheel to direct the flow of air; a motor mount comprising asingle piece of sheet metal shaped to define a continuous band portionalong one side thereof and at least three equally spaced leg portionsprojecting from the band portion, each leg portion being capable ofbeing bent generally perpendicular to the band portion, so that when theband portion is placed around a circular motor, the legs radiate fromthe band portion; and fasteners to attach the leg portions to thehousing.
 10. The blower assembly of claim 9, wherein the band portioncontains at least three curved ribs on the band portion to add strengthto the motor mount and wherein each rib extends generally perpendicularto the length of the band and is located proximate to one of the legportions.
 11. The blower assembly of claim 9, wherein each leg portionincludes a base portion joined to the band portion, one side of the baseportion having an undercut to facilitate bending the leg portionperpendicular to the band portion.
 12. The blower assembly of claim 9,wherein the under cut and the point at which the other side of each baseportion and the band portion are joined are generally curved to reducestress in the motor mount.
 13. The blower assembly of claim 9, whereineach leg portion includes a fastening portion capable of being bentgenerally perpendicular to the leg portions, the fasteners connectingeach fastening portion to the motor housing.
 14. The blower assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the fasteners include a shock absorbing means.
 15. Theblower assembly of claim 9, wherein the leg portions are equally spacedalong the length of the band portion.